May Day 2026 Gift: Labour Minister Ensures Fishermen on Ships Receive International Standard Rights

The Indonesian government has officially promulgated Presidential Regulation (Perpres) No. 25 of 2026 to ratify International Labour Organization (ILO) Convention No. 188 on Work in Fishing. The regulation, launched during the commemoration of International Labour Day (May Day) 2026, represents a strategic step to ensure that every fishing vessel crew member has rights to decent working conditions in accordance with international standards. Labour Minister (Menaker) Yassierli stated that through this ratification, the government ensures the presence of the state for its citizens wherever they may be. “Through this ratification, the state is present not only on land but also in the vast ocean to protect all crew members, including those working on small vessels,” he said in a written statement received by Kompas.com on Saturday (2/5/2026). Yassierli noted that the government recognises the fishing sector as one of the high-risk occupations. Therefore, strong legal standards are needed to protect the crew members. “With this ratification, Indonesia now stands alongside other advanced maritime nations in enforcing human rights standards in the high seas,” he said. Yassierli explained that through the ratification of ILO Convention No. 188, the protections provided cover fundamental aspects that must be met by all parties. First, minimum age requirements. Ship owners or fishing entrepreneurs must ensure standards for the age and health of crew members before they start working. Third, welfare on board. Crew members must receive guarantees of adequate accommodation and food during their duties at sea. Fourth, occupational health and safety (K3). The ship parties must provide protection from work accident risks as well as adequate access to medical care on board. “Through this ratification, we want to ensure that crew members receive fair and adequate social security protection,” he clarified. Yassierli added that the ratification serves as an important instrument for Indonesia in combating forced labour practices as well as the worst forms of child labour in the fisheries sector.